Defending the Prophet (SAW) The Best Protection

Written by Dr. Houria Abdelrehem

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نعس رسول الله ﷺ على راحلته في سَفَر،
بعدما واصل ليله بنهاره.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ became drowsy on his mount during a journey,
after traveling continuously through the night and day.

فرآه أبو قتادة الأنصاري يميل عن الراحلة،
فأتى ليدعم رسول الله ﷺ دون أن يوقظه،
Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari saw him leaning on his mount,
so he came forward to support the Messenger of Allah ﷺ without waking him.

ثم تكرر الأمر مرةً ثانيةً وثالثة،
ويدعم أبو قتادة النبيَّ برفق.
Then this happened a second and a third time,
and Abu Qatadah continued to support the Prophet gently.

استيقظ رسول الله ﷺ فسأل
– في ظلام الليل –:
(من هذا؟)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ awoke and asked,
—in the darkness of the night—:
“Who is this?”

قال: أبو قتادة.
He replied: “Abu Qatadah.”

فقال: (متى كان هذا مسيرك مني؟)
He said: “Since when have you been walking like this beside me?”
– يعني: منذ متى وأنت تدعمني بهذا الشكل لئلا أميل؟ –
—meaning: since when have you been supporting me so that I would not lean?—

قال أبو قتادة: (ما زال هذا مسيري منذُ الليلة).
Abu Qatadah said: “I have been doing this since the beginning of the night.”

فقال رسول الله ﷺ:
(حفظك اللهُ بما حفظتَ به نبيَّه).
So the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“May Allah protect you for how you protected His Prophet.”

والحديث رواه مسلم.
This hadith was narrated by Muslim.

⸻

ما أجملها من دعوةٍ من الحبيب المصطفى ﷺ لأبي قتادة رضي الله عنه،
وجعل منها نصيبًا لكل من حفظ النبيَّ ﷺ ورسالته:
How beautiful is this supplication from the Beloved, the Chosen One ﷺ, for Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him),
and how it extends as a share for everyone who safeguards the Prophet ﷺ and his message:

(حفظك الله بما حفظت به نبيه).
“May Allah protect you for how you protected His Prophet.”

اللهم صلِّ على محمد.
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad.

ءانسكم الله بقربه.
May Allah comfort you with His nearness.